RECIFE, Brazil — Paul Stohl had 15 points and nine assists in the opening game of both teams’ Group C play at the FIBA AmeriCup as Mexico defeated the United States 73-67.
Fabian James added 13 points and 10 rebounds for Mexico.
Jeremy Purgo led the US with 14 points. Norris Cole had 11 points and Gary Clark had 12 rebounds.
Both teams had a shooting percentage of 39%. However, the US committed 18 turnovers to Mexico’s 13 and was whistled with 22 fouls to Mexico’s 15.
The loss won’t put the USA out, but it certainly puts pressure on them going into the final two games of the group stage.
The AmeriCup will feature 12 teams, divided into 3 groups of 4 players each. The top two teams from each group and two of the three third-place teams will be guaranteed a place in the quarterfinals.
That means the US will likely win the remaining two group games to advance to the quarterfinals, and even win these contests 1-1.
The United States uses a roster made up of players who have recently been on either a G League team or an international club.
The AmeriCup event is separate from the ongoing qualifiers for next year’s Basketball World Cup. This qualifier will serve as the primary path for the team to earn a spot on the field for his 2024 Paris Olympics.
Venezuela 72, Panama 58
In another Group C opener on Friday, Venezuela beat Panama 16-2 in 8:38 of the final to pull away from a draw in the fourth quarter.
Jose Ascanio leads Venezuela with 17 points. Windy Graterol scored his 13 points and 13 rebounds, while Johanna Sifontes scored his 12 and José Materán scored his 10.
Trevor Gaskins scored a game-high 20 points in Panama, with 15 from Eric Romero.
Group A
Colombia 70, Uruguay 64
With Juan Tello and Jaime Echenik each scoring 17 points, Colombia pulled away from Uruguay with a 16–0 run in the eight-minute stretch of the fourth quarter.
Romario Roque scored 14 goals for Colombia.
Uruguay led 59–50 with nine minutes remaining, but everything went wrong. Uruguay went 8-0 off the field and he recorded six turnovers in a Colombian big run.
Agustín Ubal led all scorers for Uruguay with 27 points on 8-of-15 shooting. But his teammates combined, he shot only 41-for-14 from the floor (34%).
Brazil 72, Canada 63
Brazil won 10-0 in the fourth quarter to take a clear lead over Canada.
Yago Santos scored 13 points for Brazil, 11 from Leonardo Maindol and 10 from Jorge de Paula. Canada international Darano Banton scored 20 points, Trey Bell-Haynes scored 12 and Caliph Young scored 11.
Saturday schedule
In Group A, Canada will face Uruguay and Colombia will face Brazil. In Group B, the Dominican Republic will face the Virgin Islands and Argentina will face Puerto Rico.
Group C is closed on Saturdays. On Sunday, Panama will play Mexico and the United States will play Venezuela.
